Hi! New player who will be attending E4 and I have some general queries (sorry if some of these are obvious)
If you choose surgical skills how (IC) do you figure out what conditions/injuries someone has (i.e. Weakness, been attacked with Cleave, ect),
On the flip side, how do I communicate the level of healing I’m doing? (i.e I’m only a chirurgeon but spend longer RP healing, how would they know I’ve only healed one hit and am not a higher skill like a Physick?)
Any tips for character motivation and backstory?
If I were to go with someone but we were separate nations, how easy would it be to see them at the event and do things with them?
In Wintermark, how strict are the costume distinctions between traditions? (i.e. I would prefer to play Suaq but my costume leans more towards Kallavesi)
How welcoming are each nation to new players/how easy is each group to integrate into?
Any pros and cons of each nation that might not be found on the wiki (more in a roleplay or OC sense) - for example I heard that because The Marches tends to attract re-enactment players sometimes it can be harder to start as a solo fem newbie in that nation, this could be false but looking for opinions
Are there any nation traditions that aren’t listed on the wiki but are cool? (i.e. I can’t see anything about Wintermark weddings, what would that be like?)
Usually RP and/or being in the vicinity when the person you’re healing gets beaten up a fair bit
Varies, but I’ve always been a fan of “I can only just patch you up a bit, we’ll get you to another physical/healer so they can check you over”
Light touch is best on motivation and backstory…and expect your character motivation to change as you get used to playing them
I’ve never had issue…as my partner plays in Urizen, a close friend in Dawn, and a few other folks I know in the Matches and Varushka.
HOWEVER, that being said, if you plan on fighting, you’ll fight big battles alongside your Nation due to the OC and IC logistics of how they play.
Also, there’s certain National things (like Highguard’s Day of the Dead parade, Varushka’s chasing out of the Wolves during the Spring, etc) which tend to be a lot more “this Nation does this”
Fairly, mostly because IC Egregore bond enforces it and OC, it’s a design choice of the game to avoid the generic fantasy setting dress soup
All depends on how willing you are to commit and slam into playing. Empire is a game where you need to interact and be willing to do “silly” things to get the most out of it.
(Player groups are weird, as I’ve always played in a very small one, but have never lacked for finding game/IC folks to natter to)
Depends on what YOU want out of the game. Like, depending upon the flavour of play and what broader game themes you want to poke
Yes on smaller not on Wiki things, but that’s a post unto itself…and one that might need to wait until after E3
General advice?
As the old meme goes, friends are OP
Expect to be overwhelmed your first time in field
Never be put off from IC eavesdropping.
Genuinely, this is one of the best ways to learn what interesting things are happening.
The Wiki only covers a teeny tiny bit of what’s in play. Don’t feel the need to know everything.
A little bit of knowledge and being able to connect folks is overpowered
The setting is NOT a theistic one. There are no gods and whatever created the world isn’t something to go questing after
Run towards the IC screaming, you get more game that way
Say yes, even if you think it’ll end poorly. Or say no, if you think it’ll push forward ideas
Your magical phrase the first time in field is “I’m new to Anvil, can you explain/help/point me in the direction of [location]?”
Your pack resources are your’s to do with as you see fit and use. If a group you’re looking at joining asks for an IC tithe/tax as part of joining up with them, tell them to jog on. (It’s something that sits in a grey space of rules and is also often used in not too fun ways against newer players.)
Squeek’s covered a lot! I have a brief bit of advice to add between packing (I have to say it now while I remember!) - read the Winds that come out in advance of the event, but focus on the ones for your interests/nation. I used to want to know everything going on but a) there’s a LOT and it can be overwhelming and b) it’s a great way to make conversation in other nations - ask them what stuff they have going down!
Actually another question I thought of (not expecting answers this weekend haha): How possible is it to start in dawn without a noble house? I want to actually get to know the houses and RP up to a test of mettle when it fits the character but I’m not sure if this is plausible in dawn, especially costuming wise as house colours are so important and I don’t want to get mistaken for any particular house. I’d like to wear red but would it be better to stick with blue seeing as that’s generic Dawn colours?
If you listen to 2have & 2role podcast they started in Dawn as with no house they joined different houses then married then died then joined the house they are in now as Damon & Nymeria or you also have Tristan on Fabletops Larps & Tarps started with no house listening to the podcasts thats how dawn is set up to not need a house a join the one that takes your fancy
That would be better coming from someone whos from dawn but i believe that to be an option as a navarri i am due to blend in with the no trees at the new site
The usual “I have not house and are looking” colours I’ve seen in the Dawnish swarm I know are either slightly brighter but still sensible colours…or, if a knight errant, royal blue with a bright yellow sun
(The often heard, quite memetic comment I’ve heard is that the teal difference between a Marcher and Dawnish yeofolk is often the hat.)
A friend over in Dawn made a very extensive look/feel/here’s your vibes document a while back and I believe the link is still bimbling around on the forum
EDIT
Please note, this was done as an extended labour of love supplement the Dawnish kit brief on the Wiki
I’d also suggest, as general building kit- consider that you will be in what you choose to costume your character in 12+ hours in a potential of all sorts of weather without super amazing access to all the mod cons.
I want to actually get to know the houses and RP up to a test of mettle when it fits the character but I’m not sure if this is plausible in dawn,
Not just plausible but positively recommended! It’s really important to have a group you gel well with both IC and OC and the best way to do that is take your time and look at what’s out there.
There are no forbidden or already ‘claimed’ colours, and no pressure to wear any specific colour, particularly as yeofolk. If and when you find a group to join, you may choose to add to or alter your kit to include your group’s colours. If you ask for a Test of Mettle, you may choose to wear the blue-and-gold of Dawn while you work on it. But it’s all voluntary, and the worst that might happen wearing any particular colour is someone vaguely assumes you’re associated with a house you’re not until they’re corrected.
), so you may not get many replies this weekend.